This one was Jeremy’s idea. He wanted to do a hike before he had to work at 1500, and suggested Pali Puka. Since it was so short, I decided to combine both Pali Puka and Pali Notches hike. Both begin at the Pali Lookout.

Hah! No parking fee this time. Kama’aina mofo. I learned from the last time I did this hike and saved myself three bucks. Boo-yah!

We took some pictures at the lookout, doing the tourist thing and enjoying the wind. After that, we strolled down to where the eleventy billion trails were to begin our ascent to the Pali Notches. Then, BAM! BAM! BAM! Twenty minutes later we were at the notches. I love this hike. No warmup walk. No slow start. No Mickey Mouse horseshit. Just a straight up climb and you’re there. That’s how it should be.

Climbing comes quickly and furiously

Done with the initial climb

The weather wasn’t as good as the first time I did this, but it was clear enough, giving us the same spectacular views of Nu’uanu Valley and the windward side. Unfortunately, there were no cute girls this time to chat with while on the notches. Can’t be lucky all the time, I guess. This time, there was buku rope at the second notch. Kudos to whoever put them there because it really sped up the process of me getting down. The walk to the rock nub on the far side of the notches was routine. Lots of wind, crumbly dirt, and plants that love to get in my way. As we were discussing how to best navigate our way past the nub, we noticed we were getting down to crunch time and decided to call it a day.

Newly installed ropes help the descent

A look at the nub and beyond

I would like to dedicate more time to the trail past the notches. The climb from there up to Konahuanui K1 looks doable, albeit freaking mental. It seems as steep as Piliwale, if not steeper, but extremely exposed, adding another ride to my sadistic theme park. Definitely not a place to bring a date, unless she’s the psycho type. If so, keep your rabbits safe and the knives out of the bedroom.

@Funnelwebmaster?!?: You'll be fine. Now, if you're planning on going up the chimney and beyond, I can tell you right now that after six months of inactivity (ahem, me), being super out of shape will cancel out any technical skill you may have lol. Fit and strong, yes.